Partner Article

Manchester United and Nike end kit deal

Sportswear giant Nike is ending its 13-year contract to make the official Manchester United football kit.

Last season, United failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 19 years - the Reds’ lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era.

David Moyes, who took over as manager following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, was unable to turn the club’s fortunes around. He was dismissed after ten months in the job.

For the coming season he has been replaced by Louis Van Gaal, who will take over after Holland’s World Cup campaign.

Nike first signed the kit deal with United in 2002. The present contract is worth £24m a year, and as part of the agreement, Nike were given a period of exclusivity to negotiate an extension and also retained the right to match any other offer. The company has decided against exercising either option.

The club has unveiled a new kit for the 2014-15 season, which will now be the last one bearing the Nike logo. Adidas or Warrior are thought to be in line to replace the US firm.

A statement issued by Nike said: “Manchester United is a great club with passionate fans.

“Any partnership with a club or federation has to be mutually beneficial and the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike’s shareholders. We look forward to a successful final season with the club.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .